An Ayr dance school which began with just three classes in a church hall will celebrate its 10th anniversary by taking hundreds of young dancers to one of Scotland’s most famous stages.
LJM Dance, founded by Prestwick dance teacher Lisa Wilson, is preparing to stage a spectacular anniversary production at Glasgow’s SEC Armadillo in 2027.
The landmark performance will celebrate a decade of dance, friendship, hard work and memories while giving the school’s pupils an opportunity normally associated with some of the biggest names in entertainment.
Lisa, 31, established LJM Dance in September 2017 after spending four years training at Dance Studio Scotland.
The school’s journey began modestly, with three classes held at Holy Trinity Church. As more children joined and its programme expanded, LJM moved first to Ayr Dance Studios and later to Studio 24.
Another major milestone followed in December 2025 when Lisa secured dedicated premises for the school at 38 North Harbour Street in Ayr.
Now, as LJM prepares to mark its first decade, Lisa is raising the curtain on its most ambitious show to date.
The SEC Armadillo has previously welcomed internationally renowned performers including Dolly Parton, Kylie Minogue, Little Mix and Lewis Capaldi. In 2027, LJM’s young dancers will have their own opportunity to take centre stage at the iconic Glasgow venue.
Lisa said: “When I think back to starting LJM with just three classes in a church hall, I honestly can’t believe how far we’ve come.
“I wanted our 10th anniversary to be something really special and bigger than anything we’ve done before. Giving our dancers the opportunity to perform at the SEC Armadillo is a dream come true.
“They’re going to be performing on the same stage that has seen some incredible artists, and I think it will be an experience they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.”
LJM has traditionally held its summer shows at The Gaiety Theatre in Ayr, a venue with a particularly personal connection for Lisa.
She performed at The Gaiety as a young dancer and has since returned as a teacher, bringing a new generation of performers onto the theatre’s stage.
Lisa added: “The Gaiety will always have a very special place in my heart because I performed there when I was a child.
“To now be the person bringing the next generation of dancers onto the stage is really special. It feels like a lovely full-circle moment.
“But for our 10th anniversary, I wanted to give the children something completely different and really raise the bar.”
The anniversary production will bring together LJM dancers from across the school to celebrate everyone who has contributed to its story since 2017.
For Lisa, the performance represents far more than the growth of a dance school. It is the culmination of a remarkable journey from a church hall to a permanent home in Ayr and, ultimately, one of Scotland’s most recognisable stages.
“It’s hard to put into words what LJM has become,” Lisa said.
“I’m incredibly proud of every single dancer who has been part of our journey, and I can’t wait to see them on that stage.”